Optimizing Gamete Cryopreservation in Saanen Bucks: The Contribution of Vitamin D

Year 2025, Volume: 44 Issue: 2, 104 - 111, 31.12.2025

Mehmed Berk Toker , Ahmet Aktar , Ümit Can Uzun , Davut Koca , Selim Alçay

https://doi.org/10.30782/jrvm.1711992

Abstract

Vitamin D plays an important role in the reproductive system and the deficiency of it increases the possibility of male infertility. Vitamin D acts in the ATP generation system of the sperm cell by hyperactivating calcium homeostasis. The present study aimed to assess the effects of supplementing various doses of Vitamin D on goat sperm after the cryopreservation process. Semen samples were gathered from six Saanen bucks (2 - 4 years old) at least five times in the breeding season. Cryopreservation was conducted with TRIS - citric acid - lecithin based (1%) - extender in four study groups (Control and 25, 50 and 100 ng/mL Vitamin D supplemented). Sperm samples were frozen in 0.25mL straws. Motility, hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST), acrosomal (PSA-FITC) and DNA integrities (TUNEL) were investigated with phase-contrast microscope. Mitochondrial membrane potential assessments were conducted by JC/1-PI dual staining via flow-cytometer. Supplementing Vitamin D to goat sperm cryopreservation extenders yielded higher values on sperm parameters like motility, membrane functional integrity and integrity of acrosome results compared to the control group. 25 ng/mL group yielded similar results with control in terms of high mitochondrial membrane potential. DNA integrity values were well preserved after cryopreservation except 100 ng/mL Vitamin D supplemented group. Supplementing cryopreservation extenders with various doses of Vitamin D presented higher results compared to the control group in the study with regards to sperm parameters. These results carry a good potential for further investigations and enlighten the possible success rates of fertilization via assisted reproductive biotechnology methods.

Keywords

Cryopreservation , DNA Integrity , Flow cytometry , Saanen , Vitamin D

Ethical Statement

This study was carried out at Bursa Uludağ University, Research and Application Farm of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. This study was carried out after the animal experiment was approved by Bursa Uludağ University Local Ethics Committee (Decision number: 2024-14/04).

Supporting Institution

Bursa Uludag University, Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit

Project Number

TOA-2022-670

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